October 6, 2024

tokonoma-sydney

Obey Your Travel.

Simple change to UK immigration rules can stop Brexit killing off permit-free music tours, inquiry told



a person wearing a suit and tie walking down a street


© Provided by The Independent


The disaster of Brexit killing off permit-free tours of the EU by musicians can be averted with a simple change to UK immigration rules, an inquiry has been told.

The Home Office is being urged to exempt EU artists from requiring a “certificate of sponsorship” to come to the UK, which would fit with the Brussels offer that ministers controversially rejected.

Ian Smith, the founder of the campaign group UK Europe Artswork, told MPs the solution could easily “sit on top” of the UK’s post-Brexit rules if it adopted the pre-authorisation system British visitors to the EU face from next year.

Arguing it “could be a game changer”, Mr Smith said: “By simply having a tick box on either system, you could be an exempted occupation.”

Noting the EU had offered exemptions for artists, he added: “If the UK could offer the same thing, without a certificate of sponsorship, we would then instantly get rid of that requirement for a work permit in the UK and a work permit in any of the EU 27.”

Asked why the UK was not considering such a plan, Mr Smith said: “I can’t think of a good reason,” arguing ministers would still be able to claim they were taking “control of our borders”.

The plan comes after ministers were fiercely criticised for misleading MPs about the failure to meet their pre-Brexit promise that visa- and permit-free touring was not at risk.

Video: Ireland says given no forewarning about triggering of Brexit clause (Reuters)

Ireland says given no forewarning about triggering of Brexit clause

What to watch next

  • EU pushes for access to AstraZeneca COVID vaccines from UK plants

    EU pushes for access to AstraZeneca COVID vaccines from UK plants

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • UK passes 100,000 COVID deaths, with many more to come

    UK passes 100,000 COVID deaths, with many more to come

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • Exclusive: Astra offers small concession, EU pleads for UK-made shots amid vaccine row -sources

    Exclusive: Astra offers small concession, EU pleads for UK-made shots amid vaccine row -sources

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • Loved by students, scholars and writers for 450 years, Oxford pub succumbs to COVID

    Loved by students, scholars and writers for 450 years, Oxford pub succumbs to COVID

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • After Brexit, Ireland and France cut out the middleman: Britain

    After Brexit, Ireland and France cut out the middleman: Britain

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • British PM says new variant may carry higher risk of death

    British PM says new variant may carry higher risk of death

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • A sick couple rushed to marry on UK COVID ward. Now they have a second chance

    A sick couple rushed to marry on UK COVID ward. Now they have a second chance

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • On Britain's COVID-19 frontline, medics and patients fight for life

    On Britain’s COVID-19 frontline, medics and patients fight for life

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • UK says vaccine manufacturing is 'lumpy' but still on course for targets

    UK says vaccine manufacturing is ‘lumpy’ but still on course for targets

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • UK economy pushed into reverse by November lockdown

    UK economy pushed into reverse by November lockdown

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • COVID-19 infection gives some immunity, but virus can still be spread, study finds

    COVID-19 infection gives some immunity, but virus can still be spread, study finds

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • UK looking at ways to protect itself against Brazilian COVID-19 variant, says PM Johnson

    UK looking at ways to protect itself against Brazilian COVID-19 variant, says PM Johnson

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • Temporary morgues set up as UK hospitals run out of space

    Temporary morgues set up as UK hospitals run out of space

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • UK steps up vaccinations as COVID surges, worst weeks still to come

    UK steps up vaccinations as COVID surges, worst weeks still to come

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • PM Johnson says UK in 'race against time' as it faces worst weeks of pandemic

    PM Johnson says UK in ‘race against time’ as it faces worst weeks of pandemic

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

  • Queen Elizabeth and husband receive COVID-19 vaccines - palace

    Queen Elizabeth and husband receive COVID-19 vaccines – palace

    Reuters Logo

    Reuters

UP NEXT

UP NEXT

Leading musicians, including Elton John, Sting and Liam Gallagher, signed a protest letter warning careers and a successful export industry were in jeopardy.

However, Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, ruled out reopening talks and told musicians to lobby EU governments themselves to ease the paperwork – hinting at cash help to meet new costs.

But Mr Smith told the Commons petitions committee: “Money is not the problem – it’s about ease of access to the markets.”

The Independent revealed the UK had rejected the EU offer of 90-day permit-free travel for musicians – despite blaming Brussels for the crisis – which ministers later attributed to the Brexit promise to end free movement.

However, the claim sparked bewilderment, because only certain professions would be exempted from the red tape.

Meanwhile, the UK’s new tougher rules require touring musicians to provide a certificate of sponsorship and letter of invitation from an event organiser.

Pete Wishart, an SNP and former member of the band Runrig, praised the “valuable idea” but feared it would run up against ministers’ “obsession” with being tough on immigration.

Mr Smith argued another simple change to UK rules could overcome the problem of “carnets” being required to transport instruments across the continent.

But he acknowledged the obstacle of “cabotage” rules, which mean UK hauliers can make only two stops in the EU, barring them from wider tours.

Read More

Ministers refusing to open talks to solve Brexit exports crisis to make EU feel ‘pain’, industry leader says

Nicola Sturgeon says ‘over-simplistic’ to claim Brexit has helped UK’s Covid vaccine procurement

Boris Johnson threatens to call time on Northern Ireland Brexit deal

Brexit fishing deal ‘fell short’ of industry expectations, government admits

Boris Johnson will be ‘vilified’ over new coal mine ahead of international climate summit, warns former Nasa scientist

Copyright © All rights reserved. | Newsphere by AF themes.